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Chicchi Claims First Stage Win In LTdL


KLANG, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Italian sprinter, Francesco Chicchi of Vini Fantini-Selle Italia powered his way to his maiden stage win of the 2013 Le Tour de Langkawi from Tapah, Perak to Kapar near here, Sunday.

The 33-year-old Chicchi clocked three hours, 44 minutes and 22 seconds in a bunch sprint finish at Kapar, ahead of his compatriot, Andrea Guardini of Astana Pro Team.

"This is my first time in Malaysia...especially in the LTdL. Initially my target was to have at least one stage win and try to get the blue jersey. However, the competition is very tough this year as many teams have good sprinters," he said.

In the sprint competition, the 2011 and 2012 blue jersey champion, Guardini managed to grab the jersey from China's Wang Meiyin of Hengxiang Cycling Team.

"Today I clinched the jersey and it gives me confidence for a better outing. Today's win is still not enough as I want to have a stage win," said Guardini.

Wang meanwhile, retained the Yellow jersey (general classification), Red jersey (mountain competition) and White jersey (Best Asian rider).

Tomorrow, all 132 riders will encounter a grueling climb to Genting Highlands, when stage five kicks off over a distance of 110.3km from Proton, Shah Alam to Genting Highlands.

The stage has category 4 climb at Bukit Cerakah and three sprint zones at Coalfields, Paya Jaras and Gombak before another Hors Class climb to Genting Highlands.

From FARHANAH AZMI -- BERNAMA

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